THE founder of Highgate Hill House School for children with special needs, based in Whitstone, has thanked all the staff for making the school’s inaugural year a successful one.

Sir Peter Birkett said: “I am delighted to report that 2017 proved to be a highly successful year for Highgate Hill House special needs school in Devon.

“Our seven part-time fee-paying students have demonstrably grown in stature and confidence, we recruited our first full time student in July and now have six full time children on EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) with numbers set to increase significantly early next year. In addition we achieved a ‘Good’ OFSTED grade in all areas in our first full inspection in October 2017. We see the OFSTED outcome as the first step on our journey to achieving excellence in all that we do.

“Next year we have exciting plans to develop our summer school and our international college. We are also creating new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities with a range of organisations that include UNESCO, Womenscoin, charities, Fujitsu and others.

“I am grateful for your help, advice and continued support and very much look forward to working with you in 2018.”